Welcome to another week.
A judge in Italy has ordered a 15 year old girl, who was at the centre of a paedophile ring, to read feminist books in order to give her an understanding of the “damage that has been done to her” and to take on “feminist values” from the materials.
The court in Rome has given one of the men involved a two-year jail sentence for paying to have sex with the girl, and has ordered that he pay for the books and films which she must read and watch.
The ruling, which was passed down by a female judge, was met with criticism by one of the authors on the court ordered reading list, who felt that the books should be read by the perpetrator instead.
A very concerning mental health issue also arises from this judgment. By placing some of the responsibility on the young girl for the events that took place, she could take the view she is to blame for what happened to her and could go on to suffer with depression, anxiety and poor physical health, which could worsen over time.
This course of action also does not address the underlying reasons why the girl found herself at the centre of a paedophile ring, and no effort appears to have been made to offer this young girl counselling or support. The girl could also feel that the two year sentence the man was given was very lenient, and that this in some way reflects upon her self worth.
Those in favour of the ruling might suggest that at 15, the girl was old enough to understand what she was doing, and that her part in the paedophile ring was a considered life choice, having accepted money in return for sleeping with the man involved. They may also argue that the books could help to inform the young woman about her rights and offer her more options on how to live her life, going forward.
Advocates of the ruling might also say that the length of the sentence is an appropriate amount of time for the crime committed, bearing in mind the girl’s age and what appears to be an isolated event as far as the man in question is concerned.
Our question to you then, is just this: Do you think the judge’s ruling was right?
Researching Reform 
Reblogged this on World4Justice : NOW! Lobby Forum..
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A pathetic waste of time.Reading books because she is ordered to? Jusy a fussy bossy judge showing off………….
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Perhaps this girl was from the care system and had been abused, as most are aware many girls/boys from care end up on the streets selling their bodies to survive, as for the judge she needs to learn about life as all judges need to do, fancy telling a young girl to read up on feminist views, sounds like the judge should do that and retire. As for the paedophile well they have kids to pick and choose from, I do not believe there is one judge or charity or governments on this planet will protect children, all they do is talk talk talk and ask for more money.
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All too easy to pass judgement from a distance, but without knowing the girl, the circumstances, the books – and the man involved, I’d be loth to make a snap decision.
My gut feeling is one of revulsion that such a young girl should have been faced with the situation in the first place, but circumstances alter cases. All too often the girl is made to carry the feeling of guilt about the way she looked, dressed, behaved that may have encouraged the man to act as he did.
Probably she was groomed, flattered by attention and promises. It happens, but I hope she can pick up her life and survive any form of castigation that may be inferred.
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Reblogged this on Musings of a Penpusher and commented:
All too easy to make a snap decision from a distance, but my gut reaction is one of revulsion that so young a girl should have had to face such a situation.
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